CN106465569B - Tape spool turret arrangement for tape-and-reel machines - Google Patents

Abstract

A tape spool turret apparatus for a tape and reel machine includes a central hub and a plurality of arms extending radially from the central hub. The first actuator may rotate the plurality of arms together such that one arm rotates toward the feeding position while the other arm rotates away from the feeding position. Once a given arm resides in the feed position, the second actuator may spin a tape spool carried by that arm so that a flexible linear tape carrying components may be loaded onto or unloaded from the tape spool carried by that arm. After the tape spool is loaded or unloaded, the first actuator co-rotates the plurality of arms about the first rotation axis to set the next arm in the feeding position so that the flexible linear carrier tape can be loaded onto or unloaded from the next tape spool carried by the arm. An arm disposed away from the feed position may decouple/remove the tape spool from the arm and/or receive a new tape spool while the tape spool corresponding to the feed position is spun.

Description

Tape spool turret arrangement for tape-and-reel machines

Technical Field

The present disclosure generally relates to a reel-to-reel machine configured for loading and/or unloading reels carrying flexible carrier tapes having sealed pouches or wells within which components such as semiconductor devices reside. More particularly, aspects of the present disclosure relate to tape spool turret devices configured to carry a plurality of tape spools and selectively rotate a given tape spool to a feed position such that the tape spool may be loaded or unloaded by a tape-winding machine while one or more other tape spools carried by the tape-winding turret device may be attached to or detached from the tape-winding turret device.

Background

A tape-and-reel machine transfers components such as semiconductor devices (e.g., semiconductor dies or packaged integrated circuit chips) onto a flexible linear tape and simultaneously feeds the flexible linear tape to a tape reel with the reel spinning. Thus, the flexible linear tape is progressively wound circumferentially about the tape spool. This provides an efficient way of storing the flexible linear tape and the components carried thereby. Once a tape spool that is receiving a flexible linear tape is fully loaded to a given length of the flexible linear tape, the full spool must be replaced with an empty spool so that additional components can be transferred on to the flexible linear tape, and the flexible linear tape can be fed on to, wound around, and stored on the tape spool. I.e. the full reel must be exchanged or swapped out for an empty reel.

Manually swapping tape reels involves removing a first full tape reel from the tape system and manually replacing this first full tape reel with a second empty tape reel. During manual exchange of tape reels, the tape machine is not operating, resulting in a break or shutdown of the tape machine, affecting throughput. There are automated systems for exchanging tape reels. However, existing automated systems for automatically exchanging tape reels (e.g., as described in U.S. patent publication No. 2011/0220755 and U.S. patent publication No. 2003/0046808) are very complex from a mechanical standpoint and are correspondingly expensive. There is a need for a mechanically simple, cost effective, production efficient device for a tape and reel machine by which multiple tape reels can be automatically managed.

Disclosure of Invention

According to an aspect of the present disclosure, a tape reel apparatus for a tape and reel component transfer system configured for transferring components onto or off of a flexible linear tape, the tape reel apparatus comprising: a central hub rotatable about a first axis of rotation; a plurality of tape spools including a first tape spool and a second tape spool are coupled to the central hub; and a first actuator coupled to the central hub and configured to rotate the central hub about a first axis of rotation to rotate the first tape spool away from the feed position while rotating the second tape spool toward the feed position. The feeding position corresponds to a position at which the flexible linear carrier tape can be fed from the component transfer system to the tape reel placed thereto or from the tape reel placed thereto to the component transfer system. The tape reel apparatus also includes a second actuator configured to spin the second tape reel about a winding or unwinding shaft for winding or unwinding, respectively, the flexible linear tape around the second tape reel when the second tape reel is disposed in the feeding position. The first tape spool may be unloaded from the tape spool device (e.g., and replaced with another tape spool) while the second tape spool is disposed in the feed position and the flexible linear tape is wound or unwound around the second tape spool.

According to another aspect of the present disclosure, a tape reel apparatus of a tape and reel component transfer system configured for transferring components onto or from a flexible linear tape comprises: (a) a multi-arm module having a central hub rotatable about a first axis of rotation; and a plurality of arms coupled to the central hub, each arm extending radially away from the central hub and each arm having a spool holder by which a tape spool can be attached to or detached from the arm; and (b) a first actuator coupled to the central hub and configured to rotate the central hub about a first axis of rotation to collectively rotate the plurality of arms about the first axis of rotation. The first actuator is configured to rotate the plurality of arms together, rotating one of the plurality of arms toward a feed position while rotating another of the plurality of arms away from the feed position, wherein the feed position corresponds to a position of an arm at which a flexible linear tape can be fed from a component transport system to a tape reel carried by the arm, or from a tape reel of such arm to the component transport system.

Each spool holder of each arm is rotatable about a second axis of rotation parallel to the first axis of rotation to enable the secured tape spool to spin for winding and/or unwinding the flexible linear tape about the tape spool. A second arm of the plurality of arms disposed away from the feed position may unload or receive a second tape spool while a first arm of the plurality of arms of the carrier tape spool is disposed at the feed position and the flexible linear tape is wound around or unwound from this tape spool carried by the first arm. The spin of the plurality of arms about the first rotation axis and the tape spool carried by the arm disposed at the feed position may be controlled by a set of instructions executed by the processing unit.

The tape reel apparatus may include a second actuator configured to selectively spin a tape reel carried by one of the plurality of arms when the arm is disposed in the feeding position. The second actuator may comprise a rotatable shaft for engaging with the reel holder of the arm when the arm is disposed in the feeding position. The tape reel apparatus may also include a translation mechanism configured for selectively engaging and disengaging the rotatable shaft with and from the reel holder of the arm disposed in the feeding position.

The tape reel apparatus may also include a support structure configured to hold the central hub in a predetermined position relative to the feed position such that a set of tape guide members are receivable between the first and second flanges of a tape reel carried by an arm disposed at the feed position.

According to one aspect of the present disclosure, a process and reel machine for transporting components carried by a flexible linear tape between a plurality of tape reels and a carrier tape, wherein each tape reel is configured for receiving a length of flexible linear tape via a flexible linear tape wrapped circumferentially around the tape reel: providing a tape spool assembly corresponding to the central hub structure having a plurality of arms rotatable about a first axis of rotation, each of such arms configured for carrying a tape spool; and rotating the tape spool assembly about the first axis of rotation such that the plurality of arms rotate together to dispose the first arm of the tape spool assembly in a feed position while disposing the second arm of the tape spool assembly away from the feed position. When the arm of the carrier tape spool is set in the feed position, the feed position corresponds to a position where the flexible linear carrier tape can be loaded onto the tape spool from the tape reel machine or unloaded from the tape spool to the tape reel machine.

The first arm may carry a first tape spool, and the process may further include, while the first arm is disposed in the feed position, spinning the first tape spool about a second axis of rotation while displacing the flexible linear tape toward or away from the first tape spool to facilitate loading or unloading, respectively, the flexible linear tape onto or from the first tape spool. The process may additionally include spinning the first tape spool while disengaging or receiving the second tape spool from or to the second arm of the tape spool assembly (e.g., while the first tape spool is disposed in the feed position).

When the second arm carries a second tape spool, the process may further comprise rotating the tape spool assembly about the first axis of rotation, causing each of the plurality of arms to rotate together to place the second arm of the tape spool assembly and the second tape spool carried by the second arm in a feeding position while placing the first arm of the tape spool assembly away from the feeding position. The process may also include, while the second arm is disposed in the feed position, spinning the second tape spool about the second rotation axis while displacing the flexible linear tape toward or away from the second tape spool to facilitate loading or unloading, respectively, the flexible linear tape onto or from the second tape spool.

According to one aspect of the present disclosure, a process for transporting components carried by a flexible linear tape between a plurality of tape reels and a tape and reel machine, wherein each tape reel is configured for receiving a length of flexible linear tape circumferentially wound around the tape reel via the flexible linear tape, comprises: (a) selectively rotating each tape spool of the plurality of tape spools about a common first axis of rotation to (i) dispose a selected tape spool of the plurality of tape spools in a feed position in which the selected tape spool can receive or unload a flexible linear tape from or onto a tape machine, while (ii) disposing other tape spools of the plurality of tape spools away from the feed position; (b) spinning the selected tape spool about a second axis of rotation to load or unload the flexible linear tape to or from the selected tape spool; (c) identifying a next tape spool within the plurality of tape spools as the selected tape spool; and (d) continuously repeating each of (a) through (c) during operation of the reel-to-reel machine. The process may further include (e) swapping a tape spool disposed away from the feed position with another tape spool while the selected tape spool is disposed at the feed position and the flexible linear tape is wound around or unwound from the selected tape spool.

Drawings

Fig. 1 is a schematic diagram illustrating a front perspective view of a representative tape spool turret apparatus in which a first arm and a first tape spool carried thereby are disposed in a feed position, according to an embodiment of the present disclosure.

Fig. 2 is a schematic diagram showing a perspective view of the tape spool turret arrangement of fig. 1, wherein the first arm and the first tape spool are rotated away from the feeding position while simultaneously rotating the second arm and the second tape spool carried thereby toward the feeding position.

Fig. 3 is a schematic diagram illustrating a perspective view of the representative tape spool turret arrangement of fig. 2, wherein the second arm and second tape spool have been rotated to a feed position.

Fig. 4 is a schematic diagram illustrating a rear perspective view of the tape spool turret apparatus of fig. 1.

Fig. 5 is a schematic diagram illustrating a plan view of a representative multi-arm module for a reel-on-spool turret arrangement, according to an embodiment of the present disclosure.

Fig. 6 is a schematic diagram illustrating a plan view of a representative multi-arm module for a tape spool turret device, wherein each arm of the plurality of arms carries a tape spool, and the first arm and corresponding first tape spool are disposed in a feed position, according to an embodiment of the present disclosure.

Fig. 7 is a schematic diagram showing a front perspective view of the multi-arm module of fig. 6.

Fig. 8 is a schematic diagram showing a rear perspective view of the multi-arm module of fig. 6.

Fig. 9 is a schematic cross-sectional view showing a half-thickness cross-section of the second shaft provided by the second actuator in a disengaged or retracted position relative to the shaft through a plane containing the first shaft rotation axis ρ and the winding axis ω of the tape spool holder shaft, the shaft corresponding to an arm disposed in a feed position where the flexible linear tape can communicate between the tape spool carried by the arm and the tape transport unit of the tape and reel machine.

Fig. 10 is a cross-sectional schematic view, through a plane containing the first axis rotation axis ρ and the winding axis ω of the tape spool holder bar, showing a half thickness cross-section of the second axis provided by the second actuator in an engaged position relative to the bar, the arm being disposed in a feed position in which the flexible linear tape can be communicated between the tape spool carried by the arm and a tape transport unit of the tape and reel machine.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF EMBODIMENT (S) OF INVENTION

In the present disclosure, where a given element is depicted or considered to be used in a particular figure or with reference to corresponding descriptive material, the meaning encompasses the same, equivalent, or similar element or element number identified in another figure and/or the descriptive material associated with that figure. When using "/" in a figure or related text, it should be understood to mean "and/or" unless indicated otherwise. Reference herein to a particular value or range of values should be understood to include reference to an approximate value or range of values (e.g., within +/-20%, +/-15%, +/-10%, or +/-5%).

As used herein, the term "set" corresponds to or is defined as a non-empty finite organization of elements that mathematically behave as a cardinality of at least 1 (i.e., a set is defined herein as a finite set that may correspond to a cell, a unimodal or single-element set, or a multi-element set) (e.g., in a manner described in chapter 11 "mathematical reasoning guides: numbers, sets, and functions" (e.g., as indicated at page 140) corresponding to Peter J. Eccles, published by Cambridge university Press (1998). generally, elements of a set may comprise or be a system, device, structure, object, process, physical parameter, or value depending on the type of set under consideration.

Embodiments of the present disclosure relate to tape spool turret devices for tape-and-reel machines. As will be readily appreciated by those of ordinary skill in the relevant art, tape-and-reel machines are configured to transfer components, such as semiconductor devices (e.g., packaged semiconductor chips), to and/or from a flexible linear tape that may be wound or coiled about a tape reel for the purpose of efficiently storing components carried by the flexible linear tape. The tape spool turret apparatus includes a plurality of arms extending radially away from a central hub. Each arm includes a tape spool holder that enables the tape spool to be attached to and removed from the arm and facilitates the tape spool to spin or circumferentially rotate relative to the arm.

The tape spool turret device is configured for co-rotating the plurality of arms about the central hub such that each arm may be disposed at or selectively or sequentially placed (e.g., under direction of a set of program instructions executable by the processing unit) in a feed position in which the flexible linear tape may be communicated between the tape and the spool machine, and the tape spool carried by the arm disposed at the feed position is associated with a spinning motion applied to the tape spool. More specifically, when a given arm resides in the feed position, a tape spool carried by the arm may be spun in a first direction such that a flexible linear tape is loaded from a tape spool machine onto the tape spool, or spun in a second direction such that the flexible linear tape is unloaded from or onto the tape spool. When a particular arm is placed in a feed position, one or more other arms within the plurality of arms that are not placed in the feed position may move the tape spool away or attach the tape spool.

Fig. 1-4 are schematic diagrams illustrating aspects of a representative tapespool turret apparatus 100 according to embodiments of the present disclosure. The tapespool turret arrangement 100 is configured to operate or interact with atape machine 10, portions of thetape machine 10 also being shown in fig. 1-4. The roll-to-roll machine 10 may be conventional or generally conventional (e.g., conventional with simple/minor structural modifications for the purpose of conforming to or interacting with a roll-to-roll turret device 100 according to embodiments of the present disclosure).

The tape-and-reel machine 10 includes atape transport unit 20 providing alinear track 22 along which the flexiblelinear tape 12 can be displaced toward the tapereel turret device 100 or away from the tapereel turret device 100, for example, along or parallel to a tape input/output axis (e.g., x-axis) corresponding to thetape transport unit 20. In various embodiments, the flexiblelinear carrier tape 12 comprises (a) a carrier tape having a plurality of pockets or wells disposed along its length in which components can be placed; and (b) a cover tape that covers the carrier tape and, in a manner readily understood by one of ordinary skill in the relevant art, seals the components within the carrier tape wells in which they reside. The tape-and-reel machine 10 is generally configured for carrying a carrier tape reel through which the carrier tape is disposed, and for carrying a cover tape reel through which the cover tape is disposed, as will be readily understood by those of ordinary skill in the art. Furthermore, the roll-to-roll machine 10 additionally comprises or operates in conjunction with a pick and place device (not shown), for example, a turret-based pick and place device configured to transfer individual components from component source locations into individual wells of a carrier tape, the process being associated with a carrier tape loading step; or individual components from the carrier wells are transported to component destination locations, which process is associated with the carrier unload step. The tape-and-reel machine 10 additionally provides a set of conventionaltape guide members 24a, 24b between which and along which the flexiblelinear tape 12 may be guided to theempty tape reel 110, as will be appreciated by those of ordinary skill in the relevant art.

In various embodiments, the tapespool turret structure 100 includes a support structure ormember 102 carrying each of thefirst actuators 150; asecond actuator 160, and atranslation mechanism 170 corresponding to the actuator; and amulti-arm module 120 having a plurality ofarms 128a-c, thetape reels 110a-c may be selectively and fixedly attached to the plurality ofarms 128a-c, and thetape reels 110a-c may be selectively detached or removed from the plurality ofarms 128 a-c. Thefirst actuator 150 may be mounted directly to thesupport structure 102; and thesecond actuator 160 and thetranslation mechanism 170 may be carried by a platform orflange 104 that protrudes or extends (e.g., vertically, in a rearward direction) from thesupport mechanism 102.

Thefirst actuator 150 includes afirst shaft 152 configured for rotational engagement with themulti-arm module 120 such that thefirst actuator 150 can rotate themulti-arm module 120, and thus collectively rotate the plurality ofarms 128a-c andtape reels 110a-c carried thereby, in a direction along, about a circumferential path or toward or away from the tape-and-reel machine 10. Thus, rotation of thefirst shaft 152 in a given direction causes a corresponding displacement of the tape spools 110a-c along a circular path in that direction. More specifically, thefirst actuator 150 is configured for co-rotating the plurality ofarms 128a-c such that eacharm 128a-c can be selectively, or sequentially rotated about a first or common axis of rotation ρ to a feed position in which the flexiblelinear tape 12 can be loaded onto or unloaded from the tape spools 110a-c carried by thearms 128 a-c. As described in further detail below, when a givenarm 128a-c resides in the feed position, thearm 128a-c is aligned relative to the carrier tape input/output axis x and thus the carriertape transport unit 20 so that the flexiblelinear carrier tape 12 can communicate between the carriertape transport unit 20 and thetape reels 110a-c carried by thearm 128a-c at the feed position, in association with the spinning motion applied to thetape reels 110a-c by means of thesecond actuator 160.

Fig. 5-8 are schematic diagrams illustrating aspects of a representativemulti-arm module 120 according to embodiments of the present disclosure. In one embodiment, themulti-arm module 120 includes a central region, portion, node, section, member, structure orhub 122 about which eacharm 128a-c is symmetrically disposed and from which eacharm 128a-c radially protrudes or extends. Although the illustrated embodiment includes threearms 128a-c, other embodiments may include twoarms 128 or more than threearms 128. In general, embodiments that include threearms 128a-c and that can carry threetape reels 110a-c, respectively, are space efficient from a geometric perspective of the tape reel package, such as would be readily understood by one of ordinary skill in the relevant art.

Eacharm 128a-c carries orIncluding a tape spool retention mechanism or holder 130 by which tape spools 110a-c may be fixedly attached toarms 128a-c and subsequently detached fromarms 128a-c, and which provides a second, additional, or wind/unwind spool ω_a-cThetape reels 110a-c coupled to thearms 128a-c about this axis may be spun. For example, the holder 130 can include a spindle orrod 132 projecting perpendicularly away from the outer surface of thearms 128a-c, wherein therod 132 is configured for selective mating engagement with thesecond actuator 160 or disengagement from thesecond actuator 160 to facilitate selective spinning of the tape spool, as described in further detail below with reference to fig. 9-10.

Eacharm 128a-c is provided at thecentral hub 122 in a radial or longitudinal direction r of thearm 128a-c_a-cTo the center of therod 132 of the tape reel holder or equivalently to the winding/unwinding shaft corresponding to the rod 132_a-cA predetermined reel positioning distance d therebetween_r. In addition, eacharm 128a-c has a radial or longitudinal axis r along it between thecenter point 124 of thecentral hub 122 and the end of thearm 128a-c_a-cAnd a predetermined total length/that approximates or substantially approximates the length of the arm's reel holder 130 androd 132. In various embodiments, the tapespool turret apparatus 100 may accommodatetape spools 110a-c of a particular predetermined size (e.g., corresponding to one, two, or more standard tape spool diameters), as will be readily understood by one of ordinary skill in the relevant art. In several embodiments, themulti-arm module 120 may be formed as a single piece of material (e.g., a single piece of machined metal, such as aluminum), which may be coated or remain uncoated.

Thecentral hub 122 is configured for coupling to thefirst actuator 150 or mating engagement with thefirst actuator 150 such that thefirst actuator 150 can rotate the entiremulti-arm module 120 circumferentially about, or equivalently about, the axis of rotation ρ corresponding to thefirst actuator 150, (a) the plurality ofarms 128a-c can rotate together relative to the common axis of rotation ρ, or (b) the plurality of winding axes ω_a-cCan rotate together about a common axis of rotation p. For example, thecentral hub 122 may include a centrally disposed aperture oropening 126 configured for fixed mating engagement with thefirst shaft 152 of thefirst actuator 150. First shaftThe central axis of the first axis about which thefirst axis 152 is rotatable (e.g., defined along the length of thefirst axis 152 relative to a center point of the first axis 152) may define the common axis of rotation ρ, the plurality ofarms 128a-c, and the plurality of winding axes_a-cRotatable about the common axis of rotation. Depending on the direction of rotation of thefirst shaft 152, rotation of thefirst shaft 152 causes simultaneous rotational displacement of each of thearms 128a-c about the common axis of rotation ρ in a given circumferential direction. This axis of rotation ρ can be equivalently defined as the central hub/multi-arm module axis of rotation.

Thefirst actuator 150 is configured to selectively or selectably rotate the plurality ofarms 128a-c such that upon rotation of thearms 128a-c, the end of the reel holder 130, therod 132, or one of thearms 128a-c rotates toward thefeed position 102 and the end of the reel holder 130, therod 132, or at least oneother arm 128a-c rotates simultaneously or concurrently away from thefeed position 102. Thefirst actuator 150 may rotate thearm module 120 under the control of a set of program instructions that are executable by a processing unit or control module such that eacharm 128a-c may be selectively and/or sequentially rotated to thefeed position 102.

In various embodiments, the radial or longitudinal axis r of thefirst arm 128a is when thefirst actuator 150 positions thefirst arm 128a in thefeed position 102_aThe carrier tape input/output shaft x is aligned in parallel, substantially parallel, or substantially parallel, and thefirst arm 128a is positioned closer to the carriertape transport unit 20 than thesecond arm 128b and thethird arm 128c which are not provided at thefeeding position 102. Correspondingly, when thefirst arm 128a resides at thefeed position 102, thefirst tape spool 110a carried by thefirst arm 128a also resides closer to the carriertape transport unit 20 than thesecond tape spool 110b and thethird tape spool 110c carried by thesecond arm 128b and thethird arm 128c, respectively. Therefore, when thefirst arm 128a is disposed at thefeeding position 102, thesecond arm 128b and thethird arm 128c are disposed farther from the tapecarrier transport unit 20 than thefirst arm 128 a; their radial or longitudinal axis r_a,bNot parallel, substantially parallel or substantially parallel to the carrier tape input/output axis x; also, thesecond tape reel 110b and thethird tape reel 110c respectively carried by thesecond arm 128b and thethird arm 128c are disposed farther from the carrier tape transport than thefirst tape reel 110a isAnd aunit 20.

While thefirst arm 128a is held at thefeed position 102, the flexiblelinear tape 12 may be positioned between the first andsecond flanges 112a, 112b of thefirst tape spool 110a and may extend between thefirst tape spool 110a and the tapecarrier transport unit 20. For example, if thefirst tape spool 110a is initially empty while thefirst arm 128a resides at thefeed position 102, the flexiblelinear tape 12 may be loaded or fed from thetape transport unit 20 extending between the first andsecond flanges 112a, 112b of the first tape spool between the upper and lowertape guide parts 24a, 24b toward and toward the tape winding hub orcore 114 of thefirst tape spool 110 a. As the carrier tape is fed from the carriertape transport unit 20 to thefirst arm 128a and/or thefirst tape spool 110a, the flexiblelinear carrier tape 12 may be wound or loaded onto thefirst tape spool 110a around thefirst tape spool 110a, respectively, in association with the spinning motion applied to thefirst tape spool 110a in the tape spool loading direction by means of thesecond actuator 160. Similarly, if thefirst tape spool 110a is initially full when thefirst arm 128a is disposed at thefeed position 102, the flexiblelinear tape 12 may be fed from thefirst tape spool 110a to thetape transport unit 20 and correspondingly unloaded from thefirst tape spool 110a, while thetape transport unit 20 is displaced in parallel away from thefirst arm 128a and/or thefirst tape spool 110a, which process is associated with a spinning motion applied to thefirst tape spool 110a in the tape spool unloading direction by means of thesecond actuator 160.

Thesecond actuator 160 includes asecond shaft 162 configured for selective engagement with the tape spool holder 130 of thearm 128 in the feed position. In various embodiments, thetranslation mechanism 170 selectively or selectively facilitates engagement of thesecond shaft 162 with the tape spool holder 130 of thearm 128 disposed in the feeding position and disengagement of thesecond shaft 162 from the tape spool holder 130 such that thesecond shaft 162 can be selectively or selectively coupled to or decoupled from thetape spool 110 held by thearm 128, respectively, as described in further detail below.

Fig. 9 is a cross-sectional schematic view showing a half-thickness cross-section of thesecond shaft 162 provided by thesecond actuator 160 in the disengaged or retracted position with respect to therod 132 through a plane containing the rotation axis ρ of the first shaft and the winding axis ω of the tapereel holder rod 132, the rod corresponding to thearm 128 disposed at the feeding position where the flexiblelinear tape 12 can communicate between thetape reel 110 carried by thearm 128 and thetape transport unit 20 of the tape and reel machine. As indicated in fig. 9, therod 132 of the tape spool holder is configured for mating engagement with thesecond shaft 162 of the second actuator, such as by way of a cup orrecess 134 formed in therod 132.

When thesecond shaft 162 is in the disengaged position, theend 164 of thesecond shaft 162 is within therecess 134 formed in the rod 130 of the tape spool holder and/or is not fully engaged with therecess 134. More specifically, as shown in FIG. 9, the distal end or tip 165 of thesecond shaft 162 is positioned outside of therecess 134 formed in therod 132 of the tape spool holder a predetermined distance from the base orbottom 135 of therecess 134.

In various embodiments, thesecond shaft 162 is selectively or selectively engaged with therod 132 of the tape spool holder by displacing the second shaft 162 a predetermined distance toward thetape spool 110 in a direction along the winding axis ω of the rod 130 of the tape spool holder. Such displacement of thesecond shaft 162 occurs by means of thetranslation mechanism 170. In several embodiments, thetranslation mechanism 170 comprises or is an actuator configured to translate or displace the entiresecond actuator 160, and thus thesecond shaft 162, a predetermined distance in the direction of this winding axis ω toward or away from therod 132 of the tape spool holder such that thesecond shaft 162 can matingly engage or disengage therecess 134 in therod 132 of the tape spool holder.

Fig. 10 is a cross-sectional schematic view through a plane containing the rotation axis ρ of the first axis and the winding axis ω of therod 132 of the tape reel holder showing a half thickness cross-section of thesecond rod 162 of the second actuator in a nearly or fully engaged position relative to therod 132 of the tape reel holder. In the engaged position, thesecond shaft 162 is in mating engagement with therod 132, for example, by virtue of theend 164 residing at a given depth within the recess of therod 132 of the tape spool holder. In some embodiments, such mating engagement occurs when thedistal end 165 of thesecond shaft 162 nearly abuts or abuts the bottom 135 of therecess 134 provided by therod 132 of the tape spool holder.

Once thesecond shaft 162 is adapted to fixedly engage therod 132 of the tape spool holder, thesecond actuator 160 may rotate thesecond shaft 162 such that thetape spool 110 circumferentially spins about the winding axis ω in a tape spool loading direction or a tape spool unloading direction, respectively, to facilitate tape spool loading or unloading, respectively, in a manner that should be readily understood by one of ordinary skill in the art based on the description and drawings herein.

After theempty tape spool 110 has been loaded or filled with the flexiblelinear tape 12, or after thefull tape spool 110a of the flexiblelinear tape 12 has been unloaded or emptied, thetranslation mechanism 170 may disengage thesecond shaft 162 from therod 132 of the tape spool holder by displacing thesecond shaft 162 along the winding axis ω in a direction away from thetape spool 110. Upon disengagement of thesecond shaft 162 from therod 132 of the tape spool holder, thefirst actuator 150 may rotate themulti-arm module 120 about its axis of rotation ρ so that the second ornext arm 128b, and thetape spool 110b carried thereby, may rotate toward the feed position. Such rotation of thefirst arm 128a and thefirst tape spool 110a away from the feed position and concurrent rotation of thesecond arm 128b and thesecond tape spool 110b toward the feed position are shown in fig. 2 and 3.

In various embodiments, any givenarm 128a rotates toward the feed position; thesecond shaft 162 engages with therod 132 corresponding to the tape spool holder currently set in the feeding position; the spinning of thetape spool 110a held at the feeding position by means of the rotation of thesecond shaft 162; thesecond shaft 162 is disengaged from therod 132 of the tape spool holder corresponding to thearm 128a currently set at the feeding position; and rotation of themulti-arm module 120 by means of rotation of thefirst shaft 152, such that thenext arm 128b, c can be displaced towards the feed position; and so on, eacharm 128a-c under the direction of a control unit, which may be a computer system or a computing device having a processing unit or microcontroller, configured to execute a set of program instructions that automatically manage or direct the selective rotation of the plurality ofarms 128 about the axis of rotation ρ, and to selectively spin about the winding axis ω a giventape spool 110 carried by thearm 128 disposed in the feeding position. Several embodiments according to the present disclosure may include one or more types of sensors or sensing devices (e.g., optical sensors) to facilitate determining when a givenarm 128 is disposed in a feed position in a manner that should be readily understood by one of ordinary skill in the relevant art; and/or when a giventape spool 110 disposed in the feed position is empty, full, or partially full.

If each of the first, second andthird tape spools 110a-c is initially empty, thefirst arm 128a carrying thefirst tape spool 110a may be transported to a feed position after thefirst tape spool 110a may immediately receive and load the flexiblelinear tape 12. Once thefirst tape spool 110a is filled or loaded with the flexiblelinear tape 12, thefirst arm 128a may be automatically rotated away from the feed position while simultaneously rotating thesecond arm 128b carrying thesecond tape spool 110b toward the feed position. After thesecond arm 128b, and thus thesecond tape spool 110b, reaches the feed position, thesecond tape spool 110b may be immediately filled or loaded with the flexiblelinear tape 12, thereby eliminating any tape-type machine interruptions or downtime associated with swapping out or changing out a fullfirst tape spool 110a with anempty spool 110 a. Once thesecond tape spool 110b is filled or loaded with the flexiblelinear tape 12, thesecond arm 128b may be automatically rotated away from the feed position while rotating thethird arm 128c carrying thethird tape spool 110c toward the feed position. As thethird arm 128c, and thus thethird tape spool 110c, reaches the feed position, thethird tape spool 110c may be immediately filled or loaded with the flexiblelinear tape 12, again eliminating any interruptions or downtime associated with spool swapping. The fully loaded first andsecond tape spools 110a, 110b may be (a) removed from themulti-arm module 120 and (b) replaced withempty tape spools 110a, 110b when thethird tape spool 110c is filled or loaded, thereby maximizing throughput of the tape andreel machine 10. Similar considerations apply when the flexiblelinear tape 12 is unloaded from themultiple tape reels 110 a-c.

Aspects of particular embodiments of the present disclosure address at least one aspect, problem, drawback and/or disadvantage associated with existing approaches to spool loading or unloading associated with operation of a spool-type machine. Although features, aspects, and/or advantages associated with certain embodiments have been described in the present disclosure, other embodiments may also exhibit such features, aspects, and/or advantages to fall within the scope of the present disclosure. It will be appreciated by those of ordinary skill in the art that several of the above-disclosed systems, components, processes, or alternative implementations thereof may be advantageously combined into other systems, component processes, and/or applications. Furthermore, various modifications, alterations, and/or improvements to the various embodiments disclosed may be made by those having ordinary skill in the art, within the scope and spirit of the disclosure.

Claims (17)

1. A tape reel apparatus for a tape and reel component transfer system configured for transferring components onto or off of a flexible linear tape, the tape reel apparatus comprising:

a central hub having a plurality of arms rotatable about a first axis of rotation;

a plurality of tape spools, each of the tape spools coupled to each of the plurality of arms of the central hub, the plurality of tape spools including a first tape spool and a second tape spool; and

a first actuator coupled to the central hub and configured to rotate the central hub about the first axis of rotation, thereby rotating the first axis of rotation away from a feed position while rotating the second tape spool toward the feed position,

a second actuator having a rotational shaft engaged with the reel holder of one of the plurality of arms, configured to spin the second tape reel around a winding shaft or an unwinding shaft for winding or unwinding, respectively, a flexible linear tape around the second tape reel when the second tape reel is disposed at the feeding position, and

a translation mechanism configured to selectively engage and disengage the rotational shaft with and from a spool holder of the arm when the arm is disposed in the feed position,

wherein the feeding position corresponds to a position at which the flexible linear tape can be fed from the component transport system to or from a tape reel placed there.

2. The tape reel apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the rotation shaft is configured to engage with or disengage from a groove of a tape reel holding rod of the first tape reel or the second tape reel located at the feeding position.

3. The tape reel apparatus of claim 2, wherein the first tape reel is unloaded from the tape reel apparatus while the second tape reel is disposed in the feeding position and the flexible linear tape is wound or unwound around the second tape reel.

4. The tape reel apparatus of claim 1, wherein the second actuator includes a rotary shaft for engaging with a reel holder of an arm within the plurality of arms when the arm is disposed in the feeding position.

5. The tape reel apparatus of claim 4, wherein

(a) Rotating the plurality of arms about the first axis of rotation; and is

(b) The spin of the tape reel carried by the arm disposed in said feeding position is controlled by a set of instructions executed by the processing unit.

6. A tape reel apparatus for a tape and reel component transfer system configured for transferring components onto or off of a flexible linear tape, the tape reel apparatus comprising:

a multi-arm module comprising:

a central hub on the support structure and rotatable about a first axis of rotation; and

a plurality of arms coupled to the central hub, each arm of the plurality of arms extending radially away from the central hub, each arm of the plurality of arms having a spool holder by which a tape spool can be attached to and detached from the arm; a first actuator coupled to the central hub and configured to rotate the central hub about the first axis of rotation to collectively rotate the plurality of arms about the first axis of rotation,

a second actuator having a rotary shaft engaged with the reel holder of one of the plurality of arms, configured to spin the second tape reel around a winding shaft or an unwinding shaft for winding or unwinding, respectively, a flexible linear carrier tape around the second tape reel when the second tape reel is disposed at the feeding position, and

a translation mechanism configured to selectively engage and disengage the rotational shaft with and from a spool holder of the arm when the arm is disposed in the feed position,

wherein the feeding position corresponds to a position at which the flexible linear tape can be fed from the component transport system to or from a tape reel placed there.

7. The tape reel apparatus of claim 6, wherein each reel holder of each arm is rotatable about a second axis of rotation parallel to the first axis of rotation to enable the held tape reel to spin for winding and/or unwinding the flexible linear tape about the tape reel.

8. The tape reel apparatus of claim 6 or 7, wherein the first actuator is configured for jointly rotating the plurality of arms about the first axis of rotation such that one of the plurality of arms is rotated toward a feed position while rotating another of the plurality of arms away from the feed position, wherein the feed position corresponds to a position of one of the plurality of arms at which the flexible linear tape can be fed from the component transport system to a tape reel carried by the arm or from a tape reel of the arm to the component transport system.

9. The tape reel apparatus of claim 8, wherein a second arm of the plurality of arms disposed away from the feed position can unload or receive a second tape reel when a first arm of the plurality of arms of a tape reel is disposed in the feed position and the flexible linear tape is wound around or unwound from the tape reel carried by the first arm.

10. The tape reel apparatus of claim 6, the support structure further configured to maintain the central hub in a predetermined position relative to the feed position such that a set of tape guide members are receivable between first and second flanges of a tape reel carried by an arm disposed in the feed position.

11. A method for transporting components carried by a flexible linear tape between a plurality of tape reels and a tape and reel machine, each tape reel configured for receiving a length of the flexible linear tape circumferentially wound about the tape reel via the flexible linear tape, the method comprising:

providing a tape spool assembly having a plurality of arms rotatable about a first axis of rotation corresponding to a central hub located on a support structure, each arm within the plurality of arms configured to carry a tape spool;

providing a second actuator having a rotation shaft engaged with the reel holder of one of the plurality of arms and configured to rotate the first tape reel or the second tape reel about the second shaft to wind or unwind the flexible linear carrier tape, respectively, when the first tape reel or the second tape reel is disposed at the feeding position;

providing a translation mechanism that selectively engages and disengages the rotational shaft with and from a spool holder of the arm when the arm is disposed in the feed position,

rotating the tape spool assembly about the first axis of rotation such that the plurality of arms rotate together to dispose the tape spool assembly in a feed position while disposing the second arm of the tape spool assembly away from the feed position,

wherein the feed position corresponds to a position at which the flexible linear tape can be loaded onto or unloaded from a tape spool carried by one of the plurality of arms.

12. The method of claim 11, wherein the first arm carries a first tape spool, and wherein the method further comprises, while the first arm is disposed in the feed position, spinning the first tape spool about a second axis of rotation while displacing the flexible linear tape toward or away from the first tape spool to facilitate loading or unloading the flexible linear tape onto or from the first tape spool.

13. The method of claim 12, further comprising disengaging a second tape spool from or receiving the second tape spool on the second arm of the tape spool assembly while spinning the first tape spool.

14. The method of claim 13, wherein the second arm of the tape spool assembly carries a second tape spool, and wherein the method further comprises rotating the tape spool assembly about the first axis of rotation such that each of the plurality of arms co-rotate to place the second arm of the tape spool assembly and a second tape spool carried by the second arm in the feeding position while placing the first arm of the tape spool assembly away from the feeding position.

15. The method of claim 14, further comprising, while the second arm is disposed in the feed position, spinning the second tape spool about the second rotation axis while displacing the flexible linear tape toward or away from the second tape spool to facilitate loading or unloading, respectively, the flexible linear tape onto or from the second tape spool.

16. A method for transporting components carried by a flexible linear tape between a plurality of tape reels and a tape and tape reel machine, each tape reel configured for receiving a length of the flexible linear tape circumferentially wound about the tape reel via the flexible linear tape, the method comprising:

(a) selectively rotating each tape spool of the plurality of tape spools about a first axis of rotation by a first actuator to (i) place a tape spool within a selected plurality of tape spools in a feed position in which the selected tape spool can receive or unload a flexible tape from or to the tape machine, while (ii) placing other tape spools within the plurality of tape spools out of the feed position;

(b) in the feed position, engaging or disengaging the rotational axis of the second actuator with or from the selected tape spool by the translation mechanism;

(c) spinning the selected tape spool about a second axis of rotation by a second actuator to load or unload the flexible linear tape from the selected tape spool in-line with the flexible linear tape;

(d) identifying a next tape spool within the plurality of tape spools as a selected tape spool; and is

(e) Continuously repeating each of (a) through (d) during operation of the roll-to-roll machine, wherein the rotary shaft is configured to selectively engage with and disengage from a spool holder of the arm when in a feed position.

17. The method of claim 16, further comprising (f) swapping a tape spool disposed away from the feed position with another tape spool while the selected tape spool is disposed at the feed position and the flexible linear tape is wound around or unwound from the selected tape spool.

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